Ascension : Conservation Weekly
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 02.02.2012 (Article Archived on 16.02.2012)
During late December 2011, the Sooty terns (Sterna fuscata) returned to Ascension for their breeding season to nest at the Waterside Fairs (also known as Waters edge at the end of the runway).
Sooty Terns
Contributed by Nathan Fowler - Seabird Restoration Fieldworker
During late December 2011, the Sooty terns (Sterna fuscata) returned to Ascension for their breeding season to nest at the Waterside Fairs (also known as Waters edge at the end of the runway).
There are quite a lot of Sooty terns nesting on eggs which vary from white to buff, and are heavily blotched with a dark brown or sometimes greyish colour. The Sooty Terns incubate on their eggs for approximately 30 days, and the chicks’ take 9 weeks’ to fledge. The Sooty Terns mainly prey on small flying fish, which is their main source of food. This is a strong factor to their nesting patterns, because they can produce one egg which is a 5th of the female’s body weight. Therefore it is essential for the birds to have sufficient food to produce that one egg. There are also several Sooty Terns preparing nesting at the top part off Waterside Fairs.
At Mars Bay the Sooty Terns returned to nest in early January 2012. There are several Sooty Terns nesting on eggs, mainly near Beehive Rock, and close to Rocket Pad. There are still a large number of Sooty Terns flying around the Fairs looking for nesting sites.
Sooty Tern Nesting
If interested in booking a tour to the Mars Bay Fairs please contact Natasha Williams at the Conservation Office (details below).
Training with Ascensions Seabirds
Contributed by Dane Wade - Seabird Restoration Fieldwork
I have been working with the Conservation Department for 1 1/2 years. I first started as a Youth Trainee and have now become a full time Seabird Restoration Fieldworker.
In January I undertook training given by Colin Wearn and the AOS team (Army Ornithological Society). This training showed me how to ring and handle the birds. I also learnt how to take seabird biometrics and carry out quadrats. The data we obtain from seabird monitoring is important to help us find out where the seabirds migrate to, nesting success and patterns in populations and health of the birds. I found the training both interesting and enjoyable.
Many thanks to Colin Wearn and the AOS team for your training and continuous support!
Dane handling the Sooty Tern for ringing
Marine Awareness
Fish Kills
Over the last few weeks we have received reports of small numbers of floating dead Blackfish, Filefish and Grouper in near coastal waters of Ascension Island. This is not extra ordinary to Ascension Island, but has re-occurred over the years. Analysis has been done on previous fish kills and to date there has been no evidence
of toxins and pathogens’.
We would be grateful if the general public could please report any sightings of dead fish to the Conservation Office; this will help us to continue to closely monitor the fish kills.
Visit to Dampier’s Drip
Last week we took Two Boats lower school children accompanied by their teachers Debbie Augustus and Michelle Exelby to Dampier’s Drips. The class are currently doing Journeys for their project, and they wanted to learn about Captain William Dampier and his journey and stay on Ascension.
Captain Dampier was shipwrecked on the South West side of the Island. After they came ashore the crew followed a wild goat that led them to higher land where they found the “drip”. The drip was used as their water supply, and they survived a 6 month stay on Ascension until they were rescued by a passing ship.
During 1815 Captain Bates and his crew and families lived in the same area. It was Captain Bates who decided to build the pipeline, because transporting water on donkeys wasn’t efficient. The pipeline meant there was more manpower to help with farming on the Mountain, as the men were no longer required to steer the donkeys carrying water.
Thank you Lower School for visiting us, we hope you hope you enjoyed your morning school outing!
Green Turtle Update on Satellite Tags
Further to last week’s article, Two Boats School children have given the name “Destiny” to one of the tagged Green Turtles’.
If anyone has names for the remaining two satellite-tagged turtles, then please email and let us know. The conservation team will pick their favourite name.
Turtle tours can now be booked either at the Conservation Office on telephone number 6359, or via the Obsidian Hotel on 6246. You may also email us on the below email addresses:
natasha.williams@ascension.gov.ac
sam.weber@ascension.gov.ac
nicola.weber@ascension.gov.ac
Please be advised that due to on-going field work the Conservation Office will open from 7.30am -10am during week days. We open as normal on Saturdays, 10am-12noon, signs will be posted on the door when the office is closed.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Volunteers welcome. Please contact Natasha Williams or Jolene Sim. Ascension Island Conservation Department. Georgetown. Tel: 6359. Email: natasha.williams@ascension.gov.ac or jolene.sim@ascension.gov.ac
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